Aelspeth

Aelspeth, daughter of Ragna

Culture: Barding of Dale

Standard of Living: Prosperous

Cultural blessing: Stout-hearted

Calling: Scholar Shadow weakness: Lure of Secrets

Specialties: Old lore, Trading, Rhymes of Lore

Distinctive features: Clever, Tall

Body: 4 Heart: 6 Wits: 4

Body (favoured): 5 Heart (favoured): 8 Wits (favoured): 7

-Common Skills-

Personality

* Awe: 2

* Inspire: 2

* Persuade: 3

Movement

* Athletics: 0

* Travel: 2

* Stealth: 0

Perception

* Awareness: 0

* Insight: 2

* Search: 1

Survival

* Explore: 2

* Healing: 0

* Hunting: 0

Custom

* Song: 1

* Courtesy: 3

* Riddle: 2

Vocation

* Craft: 1

* Battle: 2

* Lore: 2

-Weapon Skills-

• (Swords): 2
• Spear: 1
• Dagger: 1

-Rewards-:

-Virtues-:

• King's Men (+3 Max Endurance, -1 XP to raise Sword, Long Sword, Spear or Great Bow)

-Gear-

• Long sword damage: 5/7 edge: 10 injury: 16/18 enc: 3 special: none
• Spear damage: 5 edge: 9 injury: 14 enc: 2
• Dagger damage: 3 edge: G injury: 12 enc: 0
• Mail Shirt protection: 3d enc: 12
• Great Shield parry: +3 enc: 5

Fatigue & Endurance

Endurance: 31 Starting Endurance: 31

Fatigue from Encumbrance: 22 Fatigue from Travel: 0 Total Fatigue: 22

Hope & Shadow

Hope: 14 Starting Hope: 14

Temporary Shadow: 0 Permanent Shadow: 0 Total Shadow: 0

Protection & Damage

Armour: 3d Headgear: +0

Parry: 7 (4 without shield)

Damage: 5/7 (+4) Ranged: 5 (+4)

Experience & Advancement

Wisdom: 2 Valour: 1

Experience: 0 Total Experience: 0

Fellowship: 10 Advancement: 0 Treasure: 0 Standing: 0

Background "At the end of my twenty-first summer, the dragon came. I will not recount that tale here, for it has been done many times before and by those more skilled than I. Suffice to say, everything and everyone I loved was taken from me that night. My home and my loved ones, my whole world, were turned to ash.

However it is said that ashen soil is fertile and from that tragedy, my people rebuilt, grew and prospered once more, both in the rebuilt Lake-town and in Dale. I travelled north with Bard the Bowman, now our king, not because he is an inspiring and charismatic leader, although that is most certainly the case. To my shame, I did it because I could no longer bear to live upon the lake, for it was a constant reminder of those lost to me.

My family had been wealthy, my father a successful trader in wines and spirits, and I was to succeed him, for my elder brother had no head for sums and bargains and became a soldier instead. However wine burns well, as do ledgers and other evidence of my family's assets. Alone and without a copper to my name, I joined the town guard. After having everything taken from me, I was determined that it wouldn't happen again, not to me, nor the other survivors.

I did well for myself. I already understood the rudiments of swordplay; I had practised alongside my brother for many years. Alongside my height and mannish figure, it had provided the material for childhood taunts and teases, mostly from the other girls. The skills I'd gained stood me in good stead and, like all those working for the good of Dale, I prospered.

It still didn't seem enough. We had peace, but for how long? I heard them, as I stood guard in the palace, envoys and ambassadors from far and wide. Some were greedy and grasping, some were stout allies, but even they turned increasingly to self-interest as time dulled the calamity that brought us together. I saw my king grow weary as our ties became strained.

I was determined to do something. I felt I could match wits with those sent to treat with Dale, but how could I make good judgement when I had never left my homeland? How could I treat with people I had only ever known as visitors? It was then my path became clear to me. I resolved to set out from Dale and gain the knowledge I needed to serve my king to the fullest of my abilities.”

Appearance:

Aelspeth is unusually tall, especially for a woman, standing well clear of six feet. Her dark red hair is long and braided to keep it out of the way. Her features are strong, with bright blue eyes under a thick brow. She is a handsome woman, but not a pretty one.

She wears a calf-length tunic of deep red wool, split at the front and at back for ease of movement, with richly embroidered hems. Her mail shirt (which, along with her shield, her former captain “forgot” to take back when Aelspeth resigned from the guard) is mostly concealed by a sleeveless tunic of brown leather, over which she wears her sword belt. When travelling, she wears a green cloak with a deep hood.

Her great shield has clearly seen little use and the finely etched metalwork and carefully painted face suggest that it was intended for ceremonial use. The longsword at her hip is of dwarven make and although it is of good quality, it's plain and of simple manufacture, at least by dwarven standards. Aelspeth's dream is to one day own one of the blades forged by men in ancient times.